He’s waiting – longing - for our attention.
Yes, G-d is hoping for us to see beyond the haze of stress and the gleam of desire, to recognize that we’re created to live a life of meaning. And when we do, G-d is thrilled.
Like when we start the day with prayer, with introspective thoughts of how we need to align our day with a meaning-centered life.
Or at night, when we revisit the day’s choices and how/whether they reflect a purpose-driven life.
Morning, before the day begins. Nighttime, after the day has wound down. Those are relatively easier times to be conscious and thoughtful.
How about in middle of the day? Can you imagine making time for quiet reflection between meetings, as your mind is racing to “keep all the balls in the air”?
Is that even realistic?
Jewish tradition says it is.
Even more, finding G-d-consciousness when it isn’t easy is what gives G-d His greatest “thrill”.
That’s why, although we pray three times a day - morning, afternoon and evening - the Talmud finds special value in the afternoon service.
Because in the middle of my afternoon, it takes more proactive effort to focus on G-d and on my purpose in lifeAnd that makes it all the more beautiful.
This idea gives us insight into a cryptic Talmudic teaching.
The Talmud – which is primarily an exposition of Jewish Law, but also explores spiritual and ethical ideas, usually through cryptic stories and metaphors – asks the question (Avoda Zara 3b):
What does G-d do all day?
This discussion will just focus on one part of the answer: “in the last three hours of the afternoon, G-d frolics with the Leviathan”.
Huh?
Chassidic thought points out that the [root of the] Hebrew word for Leviathan means ‘connectedness’; “Leviathan” thus represents the awesome beauty that human beings create when they rise above their egos to find connectedness with something Higher, the Divine.
So every afternoon, as millions of people choose to put their respective days on pause, to contemplate their priorities and behaviors and connect with the Divine, G-d “frolics”.
Think about the metaphoric word that the Talmud chooses.
It’s not just a smile.
Not just happy.
Frolicking.
Exuberance.
Sounds like a good time to pray.